Bengals Statistics

Browns Statistics

Enlarge ImageRequest to buy this photoTony Dejak | ASSOCIATED PRESSQuarterback Rex Grossman played in only one exhibition game for the Browns, but his familiarity with the offense earned him a spot on the roster.

CLEVELAND — Nate Burleson’s experience and leadership skills made him attractive to the
Cleveland Browns. The receiver’s inability to stay on the field made him expendable.

Burleson, an 11-year veteran, was among the most notable players released yesterday as Cleveland
got down to the NFL’s 53-player roster limit. Burleson was slowed by a hamstring injury throughout
much of training camp and missed three exhibition games. The time away allowed the team to take a
closer look at some young receivers, and Burleson was let go.

“Ultimately, his availability was a concern with all the time he missed, and we liked what we
saw in the other players at that position,” first-year coach Mike Pettine said.

The Browns are thin at receiver now that Pro Bowler Josh Gordon has been suspended for the
entire season for another violation of the league’s substance-abuse policy. The team decided to
keep undrafted free agent Taylor Gabriel and Charles Johnson, who missed last season while
recovering from knee surgery, over Burleson, who was signed in April.

“Gabriel is an explosive athlete. He’s very strong for his size (5 feet 8, 172 pounds),” Pettine
said. “He has the ability to get off the line against press (coverage), which a lot of times you
don’t find with smaller guys. A lot of times, you have to put them off the ball or have him on the
move.”

Cleveland’s wide-receiving corps is not only thin but also small. In Gabriel, the 5-7 Andrew
Hawkins and 5-10 Travis Benjamin, the Browns have some deep flyers but few weapons to throw to over
the middle.

General manager Ray Farmer might be looking to bolster the position through the waiver wire or
trade.

In addition to Burleson, the Browns released running backs Dion Lewis and Chris Ogbonnaya along
with cornerback Leon McFadden and guard Garrett Gilkey, a pair of 2013 draft picks.

Rex Grossman will begin the season as the third quarterback, as the club waived rookie free
agent Connor Shaw.

“Rex is a veteran, he has played in this system, he’s good for the guys in the (quarterback)
room, and he also showed that he can still throw it,” Pettine said. “And that’s the most important
thing: He can still play.”

The release of Lewis and the versatile Ogbonnaya gave undrafted free agent Isaiah Crowell a
roster spot. He rushed for 102 yards against Chicago on Thursday, including a 48-yard touchdown.
Crowell beat out Lewis, who missed last season because of a broken leg.

The Browns also put cornerback Isaiah Trufant on injured reserve with a knee injury and said
receiver Marlon Moore is on the suspended list.

“I think the 53 is always going to be fluid, especially at the start of the season.” Pettine
said. “Ray and his staff have done an outstanding job of keeping tabs on the league and I’m
confident they will continue to make any moves that are necessary to give us the best possible
53."